Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1887-07-25
THE WASHINGTON NAVY YARD.

insist on Just one more: GIVE Us Rest "
THE WASHINGTON NAVY YARD,
1T will not be disputed, says the Wash
ington correspondent Of the Baltimore Sun,
THAT for many years the Washington navy
yard was the incubator tor Republican
votes, not alone combining its influences to
the DISTINGUISHED citizens of the District,
but ramiiying where the votes were al
ways scored for the party. Up to the ad'
vent Of the present administration it was
almost an impOSSibility for Democrat,
who had the moral courage TO express
himself as such, to obtain employment,
and, his politics known, to retain it. This
Ostracism was carried 10 such an extent
that petitions signed by Republican en-
plOyes were forwarded to the Navy Depart,
ment asking that wOrkmen named in
their petition be removed from the fact that
being Democrats they We're necessarily
rebels. All the fOTemeu were radicals,
appointed rs much for their politics Is
their abilities II is positively stated that
there are sworn stateme nts filed with See
rotary WHITNEY to the effect that some OF
the foTemeu followed workmen outside the
shops and had them dismissed from pri.
waite employ because they were Democrats,
not content in making them leave the
yard. 4 change Of administration brought
a feeling OF hope aud security to Democrats.
II was soon discovered, however, so far as
the Washington navy yard Was concerned,
that their position was paradoX-they
were in, but still out"
The SuR'S correspondent then tells this
very interesting story:
Soon after the introduction ct Secretary
Whitney into Office he appointed board
OF naval officers TO sit in judgment on all
applications for positions in the yard. The
foreman who had been in service curing
: Republican rule were particularly invited
by the board to stand examination. 1t
was soon discovered that one of the mem
bers OF this board allowed his political
preiudices to master his ideas of official
duty, and the result WAS that Democratic
aspirantS realized that they were left. Suf-
iicient proof being adduced, Secretary
Whitney ordered another examination, at
which a sufficient number passed to allow
the Secretary TO select his men. 1t is not
necessary to speak Of those appOintees eX-
espt those remaining. Mr.. William
J. Cochran, OF Baltimore, was Sc
lected as foreman of the foundry
and ~ have charge of all work
in his line. Mr.. Cochran was assigned to
the steam engineering department, and to
do this u Republican had to give away
another rivet removed. This change ex.
cited the ire of Chief Engineer Loring. who
was in charge of the Bureau of Steam En-
gineering. Mr.. Cochran refused to refer 10
the matter when approached by the SUil
representative, but it is known that from
the time he took charge all manner of in
trigue and Scheming and petty harraSsing
was employed against him, not only the Re-
publican politicians on the pay rolls OF a
Democratic Administration, but IL is even
asserted that naval officers were not be
hind in duplicating the actions of those
civilians who politically agree with them.
Petty acts too numerous to mention were
done to reflect on the quality of the work
he turned out, and To jeOpardize his posi-
ton.
On the change in the object and uses OF
the navy yard and the transfer of the
foundry to the ordnance bureau, Mr.
Cochran was transferred by Secretary
Whitney "a foreman of il, as before. Cap
tain Montgomery Sicar6 was land is now
chief the ordnance bureau, and il is said
that he named Mr.. Waterman quartsrman
instead Of foreman. Ii took 81 day from
Mr.. Cochran's pay, and removed from his
grasp the privilege Of employing or dis
missing.
"A sore blow to Democratic prospects
was the appointment as inspector of ord
nance of Commander A. II. Mccormick,
U. 5. NJ" said klOwing-one yesterday
'He is q District man, and delights in Rn-
nOuucing the fact that District workmen
are his preference 10 ill vacancies. Lieu
tenant-COmmandeT Goodrich temporarily
filed the position, but his political
views did not suit Captain Sicard,
and he was detached" No, officer. say
old employees, ever assumed such dictator
ial powers as Commander Mccormick.
For his party he Is the right man in the
right place. Ii is his constant endeayor to
subSeFye the interests of his Republican
friends, and he has q ready helper in his
foreman, James III. Davis, who, in addi-
tiOu, asks a mans religion before indoors
ing him. Commander Mccormick has a
list of employees in the yard since the war,
and contends that old hands should have
the preference. II this gentleman is asked
why not appoint q new man if he is COM
Petent, he replies that he is not answering
questions The truth Is, the applicant
might be Democrat"
A mechanic" said q well-posted gen
tleman, has no redress from the punish
ment and insults of Commander McCor-
mick. He endeayors to enforce ship rules
on sovereign citizens of the United States.
L am positive in the assertion that Demo
cratic workmen in the Washington Navy
yard are in a worse condition now than
when under radical rule. To prove this 1
need only refer to the appointment Of an
assistant foreman made few days ago by
Captain Mccormick and approved by Cap
tain Sicard. 1t was that Of James II.
Straafo af palk.r,.,. -. g.-..S.o,.